Question

Please describe a situation as an LPN that you have personally experienced, or (you should have been involved in this situation). Briefly describe the situation in paragraphs up to a page. Then describe how you might change the situation or outcome when you are an RN. You might want to bring up the critical thinking qualities or other factors that you have learned in this class. Your scenario should be true and it can be about an interaction with another nurse, staff member, or patient.

For this paper, 1 page ONLY. Please make sure you have a title page and at least one reference and a reference page.

Answer 1

1. A situation as an LPN that I have personally experienced when critical thinking was applied:

Nurses apply critical thinking in the process of patients’ problem solving and for creative and effective decision-making. It is essential for skillful, safe, and efficient nursing intervention. According to Scriven and Paul, critical thinking is the mentally active process and subtle perception, synthesis, analysis, and evaluation of information collected or derived from observation, experience, reflection, reasoning, or the communication leading to conviction for action. LPNs apply critical thinking to handle several situations encountered during their shifts with constant changes in the environment combined with stressful decision-making.

LNPs need critical thinking in every aspect of their duty since they provide patient care in a variety of settings within a variety of clinical specialties. LPNs role in a typical healthcare setting is assisting RNs and doctors by providing basic medical care to the patients. Typical duties of LPNs include but are not limited to changing bandages, catheters, and IVs; checking vital signs like blood pressure and pulse rates; feeding patients who are unable to feed themselves; keeping detailed records of patients’ overall health; and reporting any changes in patients’ health to doctors and nurses.

In light of the aforementioned facts, I would describe a situation that I personally experienced as an LPN at the beginning of my career. An elderly patient was adamant about not letting me change the catheter, whereas I couldn’t leave her in that state because it was my responsibility as the shift LPN do so. Moreover, letting the catheter in for more than the allowable time is a matter of concern, which could lead to other complications. She was adamant in changing it only in the presence of the doctor, who was her nephew. I tried to contact the doctor, but he was not available and was busy with an ongoing procedure. After a while, I contacted the RN and I was instructed to remove the catheter.

Using the Inference and Concluding justification of critical thinking criteria, I made inferences and came to the conclusion that I will remove the cath without the patient's consent to avoid further complications. After an unpleasant conversation, I was able to remove the catheter with the help of a colleague without hurting the patient. Finally, I realized that I just wasted the precious time of my higherups as well as mine in the process of consulting, discussing etc. In this case, a further delay might have lead to unwanted complications and consequences for the patient, which could have lead to my job loss or suspension. It reminded me of the saying' justice delayed is justice denied,' which is applicable for treatment also.

2. Considering me as an RN in the same situation:

If I were an RN, I must have contacted the doctor first since the patient is elderly and the doctor is her nephew. After that, I will consider removing the catheter myself and remove it without delay. This would decrease the delay in removing the catheter to almost one-eighth of what it was in my case as an inexperienced LPN.

Reference: (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4216424/ )Critical Thinking: The Development of an Essential Skill for Nursing Students